Still going strong

[Adam]

Good to see my old monohull back in action this year and well done to Will Nurse for his first podium result

Will always have great memories of this boat.

Originally I designed her in 1996 - and with my team of guys built her in 96 / 97. Came out for the latter part of 97 as Hairlines International (how did I ever get sponsorship from a hairdressers?)

 

[Adam]

1998 and now onto Watch sponsorship.

Also UKOBA Champions and runners up in the Nationals

 

[Adam]

1999 / 2000 raced as Mobil 1 Outboard.

National Champions 1999

Ran quick in 2000 and led some big races - but lost our mechanical reliability.

 

[Adam]

2001 / 2002 now raced by Bob Lewthwaite as Waveslave 2

National Champions 2001

 

[Matt]

How long is it?

 

[Adam]

How long is it?

I know we race together - but thats getting a bit too personal!

Other wise she is pretty much dead on 24'.

Got very close to building a new version of her a number of times now - for various racers.

 

[Matt]

Glad I didn't ask the same of Dave, might have got a more frank answer than I expected

I thought your old boat was significantly longer than a B23 - but seems not, a B23 is 23'8". Obviously my brain truly has turned to mush.

 

[Cookee]

Have some great memories of racing against that boat - in the Euros in Cowes in 2000 where we both lost what could have been a European Championship due to mechanical problems (1st and 2nd in a force 6/7 in the first race), and in some very rough races in 2001/2 against Bob, a very good boat indeed in the rough!

 

[Silversurfer]

Good to see my old monohull back in action this year and well done to Will Nurse for his first podium result

Will always have great memories of this boat.

Originally I designed her in 1996 - and with my team of guys built her in 96 / 97. Came out for the latter part of 97 as Hairlines International (how did I ever get sponsorship from a hairdressers?)

Adam did you only make one of them? Do you still have the moulds? How much did they go for?

 

[Adam]

Yes - just the one built - although she was used as a test bed and had quite a few changes along the way. She was built over a male plug so no moulds existed!

If moulds existed I think I would have sold a number of boats by now - both here and abroad.

We have looked at doing a production version with moulds - probably looking at a boat that could be used for race and pleasure. I think we could have similar rough weather abilities as teh original but probably about another 4 to 5 mph on top end - which in my opinion would make a great boat.

Costs for a hull were working out in the £10k region - but with various options / lay-ups etc. . Main problem is that we really need 2 or 3 orders to consider investing in moulds.

However I do have a few outline enquiries for next year so anything is possible.

 

[Silversurfer]

Looks well like a bat boat if it goes like Bat Boats and is the right price reckon you would sell quite a few!

 

[Adam]

We have looked at doing a production version with moulds - probably looking at a boat that could be used for race and pleasure. I think we could have similar rough weather abilities as teh original but probably about another 4 to 5 mph on top end - which in my opinion would make a great boat.

This would still leave her a few mph short of the better Mannerfelts - but for UK racing I think the vastly improved handling and rough water abilities would more than make up for that.

Afterall the origianal boat won two National Championships and was the only boat I had racing - when there were a number of B23s out there!

 

[Adam]

Looks well like a bat boat if it goes like Bat Boats and is the right price reckon you would sell quite a few!

Would be nice - and we could do with a 'project' for next season! In an ideal world though we would just work on all design destails and work with another builder.

Maybe time to launch some details...

 

[verytricky]

Originally I designed her in 1996

Dumb Question, but it looks like the Mannefeld bat boat. What is the design difference?

 

[Adam]

Quite true in terms that it was winged and the Mannerfelts were the inspiration at that time for winged craft (although there have been a few examples of similar shaped winged circuit monohulls many years earlier).

However in terms of hull shape she is very different - and was intended to be equally at home in rough weather as calm weather. Perhaps in hind-sight went for a touch too much rough water ability and could have dialled in a few more mph for the calm.

We could have probably also saved a bit if weight from her lay-up, although she has never had any damage to her structures ....

All possible areas to refine if we are to design or design & build a follow up.

Adam

 

[verytricky]

I was interested in the specifics of the design changes?

How, what etc.....

 

[Adam]

I was interested in the specifics of the design changes?

How, what etc.....

The areas I would be developing as follows:

Steps - could be improved in terms of efficeincy and also she could handle a little more stern lift from the hull. Would give the boat a touch better ride in clam water and into head seas. Also would be capable of running with a little less bow tank at times.

Overall Dimensions - I would look at reducing the planing beam a little - really to improve speed and handling in choppy conditions where high speeds are important and trying to reduce the sudden increases in wetted surface that occurs. Otherwise would keep the same length - possibly even a little longer - bearing in mind the way engine design is going.

Aerodynamics - more attention to be paid and if would be using CAD testing for flow simulation. Mainly looking at reducing drag rather than creating that much more lift.

Structures - certainly potential to make weight savings. Especially so if looking at going into production with full moulds.

Detailing - lots of ideas and looking at a complete drop in cockpit moulding.


Long list of areas to tackle - but I like the idea of a hull that could still be used as a high speed sportsboat with a different deck arrangement. By keeping the many of the excellent handling characteristics of my original I beleive this could be done.

Would be a great project!

 

[verytricky]

Would the concept strech to a 34 footer?
Would you change the 'V' angle in the bow?
Would a wider, flatter area on the rear help stability?
What about deeper steps?
And the 'chines' more curve in tehm?

 

[Gavin Brown]

Marc what are you thinking of now ?

 

[Adam]

Would the concept strech to a 34 footer?
Would you change the 'V' angle in the bow?
Would a wider, flatter area on the rear help stability?
What about deeper steps?
And the 'chines' more curve in tehm?

yes - would not be a problem going to 34' - but does bring in some other factors to consider.

Will PM / e-mail you some more details.

Adam